Cellular Phone Headsets

Advantages of Wired Cellular Phone Headsets

Because of the laws on talking on cell phones while driving, it may be a very good idea to invest in a quality handsfree kit. There are generally two types of cellular phone headsets: wired and wireless.

The Wired cell phone headsets are similar to those that you may have already used in the past with a landline telephone. A thin cable is physically connected to your mobile phone and the other end has an earpiece of some kind. There are variations that are earbud style, similar to a set of iPod headphones. Others may have an ear loop. The microphone may be "in line" or it could be a microphone boom.

The key advantages to wired cellular phone headsets are that they never need to be charged and are usually quite a bit cheaper than their wireless counterparts. They can be very convenient to use and don't require any sort of configuration. You can find these cell phone accessories in a variety of stores, oftentimes for less than $10.

Advantages of Bluetooth Headsets

If you want to stay on top of cell phone accessory trends, then you'll probably be more interested in Bluetooth headsets. These are completely wireless and they do not require a physical connection to your mobile phone. Instead, they are "paired" with your phone and then any incoming call will then get routed through to these cellular phone headsets.

A wide range of manufacturers, including Nokia and Motorola, make Bluetooth headsets. Choose the design that best suits your ear shape and preferences, but also be sure to read up on reviews for ease of use, audio quality, and range. Most Bluetooth headsets have to be within a few feet of the actual phone.

The key advantages to Bluetooth headsets are that you don't have to deal with the tangles of a physical cable and they can largely be compatible with a wide range of phones. When it comes to wired headsets, the connector must fit the phone. With Bluetooth, most headsets will work with most phones. On the downside, you'll need to make sure the headset stays well charged and there may be some issues with the connection breaking up.

What Are the Best Headsets?

Much like fashion, determining the best cellular phone headsets is largely a matter of taste and opinion. With that in mind, Bluetooth headsets are generally more desirable than wired headsets. Among Bluetooth headsets, these three options rank among the top on the lists of many industry experts.

• Aliph Jawbone: The most notable feature on this particular device is the small sensor that makes contact with your jawbone, hence its name. This recognizes when the user is speaking (based on vibrations) and cancels out the background noise. The result is a crystal clear conversation, regardless of ambient noise levels.

• Blueant V12 LCD: If you don't want to take out your mobile phone every time that a call comes in, you can simply check the on-board LCD display on this headset. It reads out a lot of information, including battery life and the incoming phone number.

• Jabra BT500: It may not be the best looking or most compact headset on the block, but the BT500 from Jabra is widely recognized for the exceptional level of comfort that it offers. The volume buttons are highly accessible and you can easily wear this earpiece for hours on end without discomfort.